Acquisition-related Costs (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Severance costs	$ 697	$ 697
Transaction and integration costs	3,045	3,095
Total acquisition-related costs	3,742	3,792
Americas [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Severance costs	320	320
Corporate [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Severance costs	377	377
Transaction and integration costs	$ 3,045	$ 3,095

This element represents acquisition-related costs incurred to effect a business combination which costs have been expensed during the period. Such costs include finder's fees; advisory, legal, accounting, valuation, and other professional or consulting fees; general administrative costs, and may include costs of registering and issuing debt and equity securities. This element also includes such costs as business integration costs, systems integration and conversion costs, and severance and other employee-related costs.

No definition available.

Name:	syke_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedAndIntegrationRelatedCosts
Namespace Prefix:	syke_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration